Chopped!

So each week, my fiance and I do a "Chopped" challenge, like the TV show. If you have never seen it, some up and coming/experienced chefs from all over the states are given surprise baskets to make meals out of. There are four contestants, three rounds, and someone is eliminated each round. They are given a time limit, I think 20 minutes for the appetizer and 30 minutes for the dinner and dessert courses. The basket is usually a nightmare, filled with things like fish, cranberries, oatmeal, passionfruit, odd cuts/choice of meat, things you have never heard of, things that need to be de-veined, shelled, or cooked for normally a few hours. Its fun to watch.

We have been having fun doing our own Chopped Challenge, my fiance being the creative cook, I toss out four ingredients for him to make dinner out of. No real timeframe other then I pick up our son and he has about an hour to make something.

Last nights "basket" was:

1. veggie tofu hot dogs
2. white nectarines
3. the remainder of a port wine cheese ball, yes the one with almonds on it (about half of it left)
4. 2/3 of a red bell pepper

Below is what he made us. It was so tasty! He sauteed the hot dogs with bell peppers, corn, and some herbs/spices. He made a sauce out of the nectarines, apple juice, and something else. He sliced the port wine cheese ball into thin slices and semi fried them so they were crispy and crunchy. It was delicious! I only wish I had a slice of toast or panini half or something to sort of mush it all together with and scoop it up in bites. It was so good! Thanks love!